The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-04-21
Oleveland's Game.

clans that clean sweep OF euorai oiHCeiS
in the South has been made in the interest
of Democratic office-seekers, by this re-
form administration. 1t is also admitted
that there are more Republicans retained III
Office in the state of New York than in any
other portion of the Union, in proportion
to population. The rational interpreta-
ton of this method of enforcing civil-ser-
vice reform is that solid Democratic
South and the State of New York are es
sential tv Democratic success in 1855 Inc
application of the principle OF reform IS
modified by conditions looking to Cleve-
land s denomination. and, if possible. his
reelection. The Democrats of the South
demanded the spoils, regardless OF Mr..
Cleyeland's pledges. They have controlled
every Democratic administration since the
organization Of parties, and will control
every subsequent Democratic President,
should the country be so unfortunate as to
be afflicted with another. What they de-
mand of Mr.. Cleveland has to be done, or
they will know the reason why. They
strike from the shoulder always, and when
they cannot rule they will ruin. 1t IS
different in New York. There the Mug
wumps hold the contingent that deter
mined the result in 1884. To secure this
influence is essential to success in 1888. So
the principle is distorted to suit emergen-
cies. In other words, while the President
is posing before the country as an apostle
of civfl service reform, he is using the
vast powers of his position to secure his
own renomination-prostit patron
age to the most transparent partizanlsm,
and through the influence of Executive
favor seeking to promote his own personal
| interests.
The country has never had presented to
it a more palpable demagogue than the
present Democratic President-an Execu-
tive, who under the guise of reform, is
controlled by the most inveterate selfish
ness, and bending the powers at his COM
mand to perpetuate party ascendancy, at
the expense of candor and consistency, as
well as the public interest. 1t is true the
effect of this trading policy has not been
very encouraging in the South thus far,
nor will this condition improve in the
future. The game Mr.. Cleveland IS
playing is too plain, and the outcome OF it
will be an organized influence against his re-
nomination it will be difficult to overcome.
There has never been more brazen and
indefensible manifestation of petty self
ishness than that shown by Mr.. Cleveland
and never was plot more easily exposed
than that which the President has con-
cocted to secure his denomination. Even
should the machine be operated to further
his purpose, the rank and file of the people
are not SO obtuse as to be deceived by it.
. They will speak at the ballot-box, and
when the time comes. it will be found that
it is one thing to capture the mercenary
: leaders with government commissions, and
: another thing to command the votes of in
? dependent thinking men. The brand OF
! free trade, added to deception and false
] pretense as to civil service reform, can
D not be sponged off by the political wire.
: pullers, paid for their services out OF the
t public treasury Party trammels are
f growing more CALLING and repulsive every
: day in the Southern States. The masses
are awakening to the Importance of prac
$ tical legislation affecting their material in
terests and when the alternative is pre-
n sented of adhering to a party name, Oh
!. supporting essential measures and policies
!. relating to the general welfare Of the
f people, there will be no hesitation ir
. making a choice. Cleveland, on a fret
trade platform. will lose half of the South
t ern States.